Latest News
National Beat Crime Awards
Young People in Hartlepool have been entered into the National Beat Crime Awards representing the whole of Durham with Hartlepool included, their DVD called The Hard Life has been chosen from 22 entries to go forward. The DVD is about young women drinking on the streets and has already won a number of other awards. The DVD has been distributed to all secondary schools and colleges. Well done to all involved and good luck for the awards on 21st March 2012. If you would like further information on the DVD or the awards, please contact Derek Minton at Brinkburn Youth Centre on 01429 265400.
Latest Parents Newsletter
The 'inform' newsletter for parents aims to bring you regular updates on topical issues and keep you informed of the services offered by the Families Information Service Hartlepool (FISH).
If you would like to subscribe, please contact the Families Information Service on 01429 284284 or email fis@hartlepool.gov.uk
Hello!
Hello is the national year of communication – a campaign to increase understanding of how important it is for children and young people to develop good communication skills. The campaign is run by The Communication Trust, a coalition of over 35 leading voluntary sector organisations, in partnership with Jean Gross, the Government’s Communication Champion.
Hello aims to make communication for all children and young people a priority in homes and schools across the UK so that the can live life to the full. The campaign is backed by the Department for Education and supported by BT.
A child with a speech, language and communication need may struggle to get words out of their mouth or not understand words that are being used. They may have difficulties holding a conversation, have multiple difficulties or simply have a limited vocabulary. These barriers are often invisible to others, meaning their needs are often misrepresented, misdiagnosed or missed altogether.
Please visit www.hello.org.uk for information on how you can help improve the communication skills of children and young people and to sign up for regular updates. You can also follow the campaign on Twitter and facebook.
Road Safety
Stay safe this winter, check out Tales of the Road for helpful information.
http://talesoftheroad.direct.gov.uk/
Tales of the Road is aimed at 6-11 year olds, however the road safety messages it presents are relevant to kids of all ages. The campaign uses animated characters that are vulnerable to the real consequences of not following good road use. The key message is 'you need to use good road safety behaviour or you could come to real harm'. The campaign also demonstrates the correct road safety behaviours.
Illegal Money Lending
Have you or anyone you know:
- Been offered a cash loan without paperwork?
- Been threatened when you couldn't pay?
- Had your benefit or bank card taken from you?
- Had a loan which keeps growing even though you are making payments?
If you can answer yest to the above you may have been bitten by a Loan Shark.
For confidential help and advice contact the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222 (local call rate, inlcuding inclusive minutes from mobiles) or email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or visit www.direct.gov.uk/stoploansharks
Money Advice Service Health Check
Whatever the situation with your finances, it’s good to know where you stand and that you are making the most of what you have. The health check, a new online money planner from the Money Advice Service, is for everyone.
The Money Advice Service is independent and it’s here to help everyone understand and manage their money better.
It takes just 10 minutes to answer some straightforward questions and the health check will give you a personalised action plan which identifies the top three things you can do to make the most of your money right now, and to plan for future goals.
Best of all - it’s free and it’s unbiased. The Money Advice Service won’t recommend a particular product or provider or try to sell you anything.
Click here to go to start the Money Advice Service Health Check.
Childcare Voucher Tax Changes
Did you know that there are soon to be tax changes on Childcare Voucher Schemes?
From 6th April 2011 higher and additional rate taxpayers who join a Childcare Voucher scheme will not get the same level of savings as those who do so before. So if you are a higher rate taxpayer and are considering using Childcare Vouchers it may be an advantage to look into it sooner rather than later.
For more information please contact the Families Information Service on 01429 284284 or search on this website for links to some of the childcare voucher schemes available.
Latest Sure Start Childrens Centre Newsletter
The Sure Start Childrens Centre newsletter provides useful information and activities for families with children under 5 years old.
It is now available to download here:
If you would like to suscribe to this newsletter please contact your local Sure Start Childrens Centre.
Safety at Home
We recently received an update from the British Blind and Shutter Association highlighting the dangers around blind cords and chains, you can find some helpful information by visiting www.makeitsafe.org.uk.
Further information on safety can be found at:
www.rospa.com
www.capt.org.uk
